How to Fix Fix Windows Startup Sound Not Playing on Windows
Windows startup sound not playing? No chime when Windows boots? Startup sound was turned on but doesn't play? Fix missing Windows startup and login sounds.
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Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix No Audio or Sound →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •No startup sound when Windows boots — complete silence
- •Startup sound setting is enabled but nothing plays
- •Shutdown and logoff sounds work but startup sound doesn't
- •Startup sound plays sometimes but not consistently
- •Sound works fine after login but startup chime is missing
- •Windows 11 startup sound never played since upgrade
Common Causes
- ⚠Startup sound is disabled in Sound settings
- ⚠Fast Startup bypasses the full boot sequence including startup sound
- ⚠Audio driver not loaded early enough during boot to play the sound
- ⚠Sound scheme set to "No Sounds" or startup sound file missing
- ⚠Audio output defaulting to wrong device during boot
- ⚠BIOS/UEFI fast boot skipping hardware initialization
Solutions
Solution 1: Enable Windows Startup Sound
- 1Open Settings → Personalization → Themes → Sounds
- 2Or: right-click speaker icon → Sounds
- 3In the Sounds tab: check "Play Windows Startup sound" at the bottom
- 4Click Apply → OK
- 5If the checkbox is missing, your sound scheme may be "No Sounds"
- 6Change the Sound Scheme dropdown to "Windows Default"
- 7Click Apply → restart the computer to test
Solution 2: Disable Fast Startup
- 1Fast Startup skips full boot — the startup sound requires a full boot:
- 2Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do
- 3Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable"
- 4Uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)"
- 5Click Save changes
- 6Now restart (not shutdown) to test the startup sound
- 7Note: Shutdown with Fast Startup uses hibernate — only Restart triggers full boot
- 8After disabling Fast Startup, every shutdown becomes a full shutdown
Solution 3: Fix Sound File and Driver Timing
- 1Verify the startup sound file exists:
- 2C:\Windows\Media\Windows Startup.wav (Win 10)
- 3C:\Windows\Media\Windows 11 Startup.wav (Win 11)
- 4If missing, run: sfc /scannow to restore system files
- 5Check audio driver timing:
- 6Some audio drivers load too late for the startup sound
- 7Update your audio driver from the manufacturer's website
- 8Also disable UEFI Fast Boot in BIOS if available — it can skip audio init
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